Super noob question

[mydodgyfeet]

Evening all,

following a sporadic flurry of posts about a year ago, things happened and to cut a long story short - I haven't been on a bike since. I've now decided that enough's enough. I've a had a Cycle to Work bike for months and haven't been out on it. The plan is to go tomorrow. I used to have an Apollo bike which had twist gears with clear numbers on it, the new one (a Cannondale Quick 2SL) does not. Rather, it has two "triggers" either side of the handlebar.

My noob, embarrassing question is : which one is to go up and which one to go down gears?

I know the left hand works the bigger rings and the right one the gears in between. I'm extremely anxious, unfit and embarrassed to ask but you lot were so helpful last time..

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Mo1959]

Evening all,

following a sporadic flurry of posts about a year ago, things happened and to cut a long story short - I haven't been on a bike since. I've now decided that enough's enough. I've a had a Cycle to Work bike for months and haven't been out on it. The plan is to go tomorrow. I used to have an Apollo bike which had twist gears with clear numbers on it, the new one (a Cannondale Quick 2SL) does not. Rather, it has two "triggers" either side of the handlebar.

My noob, embarrassing question is : which one is to go up and which one to go down gears?

I know the left hand works the bigger rings and the right one the gears in between. I'm extremely anxious, unfit and embarrassed to ask but you lot were so helpful last time..

Cheers
Andrew

If it's the same as hybrids I have had the trigger furthest away from you that you would use with your index finger goes up and the nearer which you would use with your thumb goes down. If I remember correctly the left side for the chainring is the opposite, ie nearer to go up and furthest from you to go down.

If in doubt, hold the bike up and turn the pedals while you click the triggers and you will be able to see what ring the chain moves onto.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Ride about on the bike for a while and test them. Alternatively, turn your bike upside down, turn the pedals round with one hand and control the gears with your other hand. You will be able to see the mechanism change depending on what you do.

 

[mydodgyfeet]

Brilliant, thank you. And yes, it is a hybrid. Can I can stop blushing now?

 

[mydodgyfeet]

Thanks Doug. I am a complete novice.

 

[Mo1959]

Brilliant, thank you. And yes, it is a hybrid. Can I can stop blushing now?

Of course, providing you take the bike out for a quick test run since it is a nice evening

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Thanks Doug. I am a complete novice.

You'll get there no problem.
Welcome back!

 

[mydodgyfeet]

er... I'm shy and I've had beer (and cake incidentally). Can't I just go in the morning?

 

[mydodgyfeet]

Thanks Pat.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Not a stupid question, all bikes are set up differently. Our lasses gears are the exact opposite to mine, so when I had to use her bike for a week I kept changing up when I needed to go down and visa versa. I then had the same problem when I went back onto my bike.

Just get on the bike and take your time, you will soon get the hang of them

 

[Mo1959]

er... I'm shy and I've had beer (and cake incidentally). Can't I just go in the morning?

Hmmm, cake is recommended to assist cycling but maybe not beer......at least not before you cycle Well, tomorrow morning being Sunday will be nice and quiet so see if you can even get out for half an hour and let us know how you get on.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hmmm, cake is recommended to assist cycling but maybe not beer......at least not before you cycle Well, tomorrow morning being Sunday will be nice and quiet so see if you can even get out for half an hour and let us know how you get on.

Yes, I would say from Paisley to Pollock park would be a great start

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Thanks Doug. I am a complete novice.

Don't worry, you will get it soon enough.

 

[mydodgyfeet]

I will Mo, thank you.
What's happening there Pat? I'm not up to roads yet if I don't know how to change gear :P

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I will Mo, thank you.
What's happening there Pat? I'm not up to roads yet if I don't know how to change gear :P

Paisley to Pollock park, or even to Bellahouston park is all cycle path. Start at canal station, follow the signs